Are Dominican Divorces Valid in USA?

DIVORCE PROCESS IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:WDA INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRM IS A DOMINICAN REPUBLIC BASED LAW FIRM WITH MORE THAN 15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE PRACTICE OF DIVORCE EXCLUSIVELY FOR CITIZENS OF UNITED STATES, CANADA AND EUROPE.

1- WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS DIVORCE PROCESS?

Main requirement is that both spouses agree on divorce; divorce should be bi-lateral, uncontested

and the signature of both spouses is needed in the documents to be drafted.

One of spouses should come to a quick hearing in Dominican Republic and the other one should

sign a power of attorney authorizing us to represent her/him in court the day of hearing.

2- MY LOCAL LAWS SAY I HAVE TO BE A RESIDENT IN THE COUNTRY WHERE I GET MY

DIVORCE. HOW CAN I OBTAIN A DIVORCE WITHOUT BEING A RESIDENT OF DOMINICAN

REPUBLIC?

International private law treaties provide a person may get married anywhere in the world and also may get divorced anywhere in the world regardless of the place where she/he got married. The divorce parties have to comply with the residence requirements of the place of divorce.

Dominican Republic enacted law 142 in the 1971 that specifically waives the residency requirements to foreigners willing to get a divorce in this country. Special law provides special rules, not applicable to regular dominican residents to obtain a divorce in less than 15 days.

3- WHAT IF MY SPOUSE IS IN A DIFFERENT CITY OR COUNTRY? CAN WE STILL SIGN THE

DOCUMENTS?

Of course! We can assist you during this process. Your spouse just needs to sign the documents drafted by our firm in front of a notary public and send document to the Ministry of Foreign Relations to have it stamped with the Apostille seal. For countries not member to the Hague Convention on Apostille legalization, clients may send documents to Dominican Consulate nearest to domicile, over the mail or go directly to sign papers there. The other spouse would do exactly the same with the same documents but in a different city/country.

4- I DO NOT SPEAK SPANISH. WILL I RECEIVE TRANSLATOR ASSISTANCE?

Yes. You will be picked up at your hotel by an English speaking interpreter who will accompany

you to court, translate during hearing and take you back to the hotel. Included in our fees.

INTO ENGLISH LANGUAGE BY SUPREME COURT TRANSLATOR AND VERIFIED BY APOSTILLE LEGALIZATION OR CLIENT´S CONSULATE IN SANTO DOMINGO.

3) PRONOUNCEMENT OF DIVORCE BY CIVIL REGISTRY TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH

4) CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH

5) PUBLICATION OF DIVORCE IN A LOCAL NEWSPAPER.

10- WHEN WILL I BE DIVORCED?

10-15 days from the moment we receive original, legalized documents in our office.

11- ANOTHER ATTORNEY FROM DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TOLD ME I COULD DIVORCE

WITHOUT TRAVELLING AND WITHOUT MY SPOUSE HAVING TO SIGN, IS THAT POSSIBLE?

Absolutely not. You should be aware of so called “attorneys” offering this kind of service. The process made without presence of at least one spouse is void and illegal both in Dominican Republic and your home country as well.

Just one night! Must of our clients come the day before hearing and then leave on the same day right after hearing. You’ll be done with court by 10:00 am.

14- WHERE WOULD I STAY?

There are many good Hotels in Santo Domingo area. We´ll provide a list

of recommended OCEAN VIEW Hotels near courthouse.

* Thanks to you and everyone at you firm. I consider myself lucky to have found you.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !

– V. L., New York

Please contact your travel agent in order to determine documents needed to enter Dominican Republic. Citizens of U.S., Canada and major European countries do not require of a visa but a valid passport and a tourist card which can be provided either by your travel agent or obtain upon arrival at the Dominican Airport. Our staff could take care of hotel reservations upon request. The day of hearing, formal attire is required (office kind attire).